Niger Delta – Environmental

Black Gold

Black Gold
Ed Kashi

Since oil was discovered in the Niger Delta in 1956, over 400 billion dollars worth has been pumped out of these fertile grounds. The Delta, the third largest wetland in the world, has become the main source of foreign exchange earnings for Nigeria yet it remains the least developed area of the country. These images document daily life along the Niger Delta, its inhabitants and the conditions in which they live.

Wellhead 14 was closed in 1977 but has been leaking for years, and in June of 2004 it finally released an oil spill of over 20,000 barrels of crude. Workers subcontracted by Shell Oil Company clean it up.

Oil-soaked workers take a break from cleaning up a spill in the swamps near Oloibiri.

Oil-soaked workers take a break from cleaning up a spill in the swamps near Oloibiri.

Workers subcontracted by Shell Petroleum Development Company clean up an oil spill from an abandoned well in Oloibiri, Niger Delta.

Workers subcontracted by Shell Petroleum Development Company clean up an oil spill from an abandoned well in Oloibiri, Niger Delta.

A Shell worker holds a machete during a cleanup operation of an oil spill in Oloibiri, while disgruntled locals watch.

A Shell worker holds a machete during a cleanup operation of an oil spill in Oloibiri, while disgruntled locals watch.

The pollution and environmental degradation of the Niger Delta is striking, particularly in the towns, where the absence of sanitation is evident.

The pollution and environmental degradation of the Niger Delta is striking, particularly in the towns, where the absence of sanitation is evident.

With a Shell pipeline running through its little harbour, small fishing enclaves have seen their waters polluted and fish stocks depleted.

With a Shell pipeline running through its little harbour, small fishing enclaves have seen their waters polluted and fish stocks depleted.

In the village of Odiemereyi, an oil spill from an old Total pipeline dating back to 1968 spoils a swamp near lands belonging to the community.

Since 1961, when Shell Petroleum Development Company first opened this flow station, residents of the local community have worked in this way. Life span is short for the Urohobo people, as pollutants from the flare cause serious health problems.

In the oil town of Afiesere, local Urhobo people bake "krokpo-garri", or tapioca, in the heat of a gas flare.

Since 1961, when the Shell Petroleum Development Company first opened this flow station, residents of the local community have worked this way. Life expectancy is short for the Urhobo people, as pollutants from the flares cause serious health problems.

The Agip Oboma flow station in Okoroma.

The Agip Oboma flow station in Okoroma.

A disgruntled worker tries to board the oil rig "Auntie Julie the Martyr," run by the Nigerian company Conoil.

Due to crisis in the Niger Delta, the refinery in Warri has been shut down for production. Many of these drivers have been waiting for three months at this park to get oil products to deliver around Nigeria.